Murder suspect in police custody

Wednesday

Nancy Garcia of East Stroudsburg will sleep a little better tonight because her son's suspected killer is in police custody.

Nancy Garcia of East Stroudsburg will sleep a little better tonight because her son's suspected killer is in police custody.

Leonardo Olmeda-Pagan, who is accused of killing Christopher Small was turned into Harrisburg police Tuesday by relatives.

Harrisburg police put the heat on Olmeda-Pagan's large extended family by visiting at least 10 houses in Harrisburg and aggressively investigating his whereabouts.

"He has nieces, nephews and sisters all over the place," Detective John C. O'Connor of the Harrisburg police said. "We were hitting houses of family members telling them they were going to get charged with hindering apprehension if they were hiding him."

At least six family members escorted Olmeda-Pagan, 34, into a police station in Harrisburg at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

He did not speak to police.

Olmeda-Pagan was arraigned Tuesday and charged with criminal homicide.

No bail was set. He will stay in Dauphin County prison until his preliminary hearing, according to O'Connor.

"I feel some relief for my son that his killer was caught. It's going to be a long road. He's got to be found guilty and be convicted," Garcia said.

She credited Harrisburg police for their relentless pursuit or Olmeda-Pagan.

"Detective O'Connor was completely awesome, working beyond his shift, extra hours to get this guy," Garcia said.

Olmeda-Pagan is accused of killing Christopher Small, 28, of Brooklyn in Harrisburg on Jan. 6.

Small, a veteran of the Iraq war, traveled with some co-workers to a birthday party in Harrisburg.

The birthday girl, who turned 21 that day, received an iPod, which was missing by the evening. The missing iPod and late hour prompted her father, Attillo Lugo, a friend of Small's, to end the party. Guests were told to leave, but a group of six didn't want to go.

Small helped the Lugos close down the party, witnesses told police.

Outside, Small was confronted by three of the partygoers. There was an argument and talk of a gun.

Small got nervous and wanted to get the family out of the area, so he went for his car.

One of the partygoers crossed the street, was handed a gun, came back across the street and, in front of 10 to 15 witnesses, pointed it at Small's head from three to four feet away and fired.

Small fell to the ground and the shooter continued, a total of three shots to the head and face.

Olmeda-Pagan has been on the run since the murder.

A manhunt that spread from Harrisburg to New York and Connecticut was also featured on "America's Most Wanted."

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